President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has presented prestigious awards to distinguished serving and retired officers of the Nigerian Army. The ceremony, held on the evening of 14 January 2026, was part of the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Gala Night at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.
Top Honours for Leadership and Sacrifice
The Federal Government used the event to recognise exceptional contributions in areas of gallantry, sacrifice, innovation, and leadership. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was a prominent recipient, earning the Service and Sacrifice Award. He was honoured for his selfless service and decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the nation.
He was joined in receiving the same award by Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, and Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, the former General Officer Commanding the 81 Division in Lagos. Both were celebrated for their outstanding operational command and dedication.
Posthumous Awards and Recognitions for Innovation
The ceremony paid solemn tribute to fallen heroes. Brigadier General Musa Uba was posthumously given the Gallantry Award for his exceptional courage and frontline leadership in Borno State. Another posthumous honour, the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Excellence Award, went to the late Colonel B. Umaru for his intelligence work in Operation Hadin Kai.
In the sphere of innovation, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero received the Innovation Award. He was recognised for designing and deploying a modified ballistic gunboat that greatly boosted the effectiveness of Operation Delta Safe.
Veterans Celebrated for Continued Service
A significant segment of the awards focused on veterans' post-service contributions to national development. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), received the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award. The honour acknowledged his reforms and expansion of the Army's capacity from 2015 to 2021, as well as his later diplomatic role as Ambassador to Benin Republic.
Other distinguished veterans honoured included Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) with the Sentinel of Freedom Award, and Major General Mohammed Sadiq Aliyu (rtd), who received the Phoenix Award for resilience after continuing to serve despite combat injuries.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award went to Colonel Olubunmi Oyekola (rtd) for building a successful catering business, while Colonel Bartholomew Chukwuemeka Ogbonna (rtd) was named a Community Champion for his grassroots development projects. Master Warrant Officer Manu Garba was also awarded for 35 years of meritorious service and community work.
The annual AFCRD event serves to honour fallen heroes, appreciate serving personnel, and celebrate veterans whose efforts underpin Nigeria's sovereignty and unity.
